Canada: Trudeau supports cannabis decriminalization

Charlottetown
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The Liberal MP from Papineau has danced around, about, over and under the controversial topic of the inevitable decriminalization of cannabis. Finally on Tuesday he spoke on the record in favor of cannabis decriminalization in Canada.

Recently while on tour in India Prime Minister Steven Harper held an impromptu press conference following the re-election of President Barack Obama. During the press conference he was asked for his reaction to the legalization of recreational use of cannabis in the states of Colorado and Washington.

" The government of Canada has no intention of opening this issue here."

said the Prime Minister which may seem ironic considering India's prominence as one of earth's finest manufacturers of of the intense cannabis resin known as hashish.

Well, as times are changing so too do the attitudes towards recreational cannabis use for adults.

This week while on tour supporting his bid for leader of the Liberal party Justin Trudeau was asked by a student in Charlottetown about cannabis decriminalization. His response was telling.

" I think that we have to recognize that the war on drugs as it exists right now is not working." He said.

" I am a huge supporter of deciminalization.... We have to be mindful of the message that we are sending, about what's OK and what's not OK....But like I said, I'm a big fan of decriminalization because it ( the war on drugs) is using up resources and feeding a system that right now isn't working."

A poll conducted by Angus Reid in early November 2012, in British Columbia, showed that 75% of respondents were in favor of legalization of cannabis for recreational use by adults and that 62% favored decriminalization.